Department of Justice Looking into Capps’ Office

A spokesperson for U.S. Representative Lois Capps told KSBY on Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice is looking into their office. "Our understanding is the Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a fact-finding inquiry into events that occurred following the tragic accident on December 6, 2013," Chris Meagher, Capps' press secretary, wrote in a statement. In December of last year, one of Capps' staffers at the time, Raymond Morua, was involved in a drunk driving crash that killed 27-year-old Mallory Rae Dies.

In April, Morua pleaded guilty to hitting Dies with his car and then fleeing the scene. At the end of May, a judge sentenced Morua to 20 years in state prison. Meagher says in the statement that the Department of Justice is adhering to standard practice, following up on any number of inquiries they receive. "Our office welcomes the D.O.J.'s inquiry, which will enable the community to move past the false allegations asserted in tabloid media coverage," Meagher said. Some local media outlets, as well as Fox News, have reported that members of Rep. Capps' staff may have assisted Morua after his arrest.